Former NBA Star Dwight Howard Confronted with Unpaid Wages Lawsuit
Former NBA center Dwight Howard is currently facing a significant legal challenge as a former employee has filed a lawsuit alleging non-payment for months of work. The complaint, initially submitted in December 2025, gained renewed attention in early 2026 when details were made public, highlighting financial disputes during a tumultuous period in Howard's personal life.
Details of the Employment and Allegations
Terrence Hudson, the plaintiff, asserts that he was employed by Dwight Howard and his wife, Amy Luciani, from June 25 to October 8, 2025. According to the lawsuit, Hudson was hired to perform multiple roles within the household, including security duties, domestic management, and personal training services.
Hudson claims he was promised a weekly salary of $2,000. However, over the 15-week employment period, he received only $8,137.54 through sporadic and irregular payments. The lawsuit details that Hudson is still owed $30,702.06 in unpaid wages and is seeking an additional $10,000 in damages for emotional distress, alleging he was ultimately forced to leave the residence.
Before initiating legal action, Hudson sent a certified demand letter requesting the outstanding payment, but Howard reportedly declined to settle the debt. As of March 2026, the case remains active in Georgia courts, with Howard yet to issue any public statement regarding the allegations.
Coinciding Divorce Filing and Public Accusations
The lawsuit emerged shortly after Dwight Howard filed for divorce from Amy Luciani on March 9, 2026. In the divorce petition, Howard described the marriage as irretrievably broken, following their wedding in January 2025. This legal separation has been accompanied by public accusations from Luciani, who posted videos on social media alleging Howard's involvement with cocaine use.
In one notable video, Luciani displayed a bag containing a white powder while discussing the situation. She also claimed that Child Protective Services had intervened, removing their daughter after multiple home visits, and noted that police had been called to their residence three times in recent months. Luciani expressed her attempts to support Howard but stated she is now focusing on their children's well-being.
This is not the first instance of divorce filings between the couple; Luciani filed in July 2025, and Howard filed separately in June 2025, both of which were later withdrawn. Currently, mutual restraining orders have been reinstated to safeguard their children and property.
Family Reactions and Past Legal Issues
Family members have publicly commented on the situation, adding to the scrutiny. Royce Reed, Howard's former partner and mother of his son Braylon, mentioned that concerns about Howard's behavior had been raised previously. Braylon, now 17, addressed the issue in a livestream, urging his father to cease certain actions without confirming specific allegations.
Howard, who was recently seen attending a Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks game, is seeking exclusive access to the mansion he shared with Luciani in the divorce proceedings. This lawsuit adds to a history of legal controversies for Howard, including a dismissed sexual assault case in 2023 and prior accusations of unpaid wages related to exotic snake care in 2020, which was also dismissed.
Now 40 years old and retired from the NBA since his last appearance in 2022, Dwight Howard continues to navigate these legal challenges as both the wage lawsuit and divorce case progress through the judicial system.
